title: Distribution and clinical correlates of viral and host genotypes in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is relatively frequent in China. This study investigated the clinical, demographic, and viral and host genetic characteristics that may influence disease manifestations and clinical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional observational study, treatment-naïve Han ethnic adults with recently confirmed chronic HCV infection were enrolled at 28 hospitals across China. HCV genotype and host interleukin 28B (IL28B) genotypes were determined and compared with patient demographic parameters and medical status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 997 HCV-positive patients analyzed, 56.8% were infected with HCV genotype 1b, followed in prevalence by genotypes 2, 3, and 6, with substantial regional variation. Overall, 84.1% of patients were IL28B genotype CC (rs12979860), with little regional variation. Cirrhosis was reported in 10.1% of patients and was significantly associated with hepatitis B virus coinfection, low HCV viral load, low serum alanine aminotransferase, high serum aspartate aminotransferase, diabetes, and high pickled food consumption. Medical procedures were common transmission risk factors; however, lifestyle-associated risk factors, including intravenous drug abuse and tattoos or piercings, were more common in patients with HCV genotype 3 or 6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most HCV-infected Han Chinese patients were IL28B genotype CC (rs12979860). HCV genotypes varied by geographic region, and disease characteristics differed according to HCV genotype. Relatively frequent detection of advanced liver disease may reflect limitations on access to antiviral therapy, and suggests that greater awareness of factors that influence HCV-associated disease may help avoid clinical complications and improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory for Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Disease, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Lai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lopez-Talavera
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Zhiliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jianning
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yongtao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ruifeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Haiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zuojiong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Lunli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Longfeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiaoguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.forename: Junqi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Guozhong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Shuhuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Shuchen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shaofeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jiaji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Lungen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jidong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhuang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D060085:Coinfection; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006509:Hepatitis B; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
keywords: China; HPV; IL28B; cirrhosis; epidemiology; natural history